What are Poles like? What do they like, what don’t they like, what habits do they have, and how to gain their trust and lifelong friendship?

Arriving in a new country always involves many challenges – on the one hand, those purely organizational and formal. On the other hand, there’s the challenge of communication. Even if you know the basics of the language, there is also a whole cultural layer. And yet every nationality has its typical behaviors. If you get to know them, it’ll be easier to handle issues at the public office, do your daily shopping, and even make friends. Here’s how to understand it all in Poland.

Being on time

It’s a matter of honor for Poles: if we make an appointment, we’re usually on time or even a few minutes earlier The same goes for starting work as for social gatherings. If someone invites you to 8:00 p.m., you arrive at 8:00 p.m., eventually up to five minutes earlier or later. If you’re 10 minutes or more late, it’s polite to apologize.

For Poles accustomed to punctuality, the Southern culture of coming to meetings even hours after the announced time is beyond comprehension and almost impossible to get used to. Some of us experienced that…

Of course, each of us knows someone notoriously late, but these are only exceptions to the Polish rule.

A kiss or a handshake?

How do you greet someone you don’t know, you know a little, or you know very well? If you are introduced to someone (or introduce yourself), you will most often shake their hand. The situation is similar in a professional environment: if you come to or leave a business meeting, you will be shaken hands. Fun fact: If you are a man, you should be the first to extend your hand to a woman. This etiquette is still quite present in Polish culture.

If you already know someone well and consider yourselves friends, greeting each other is usually done by kissing on the cheek, or more specifically, three kisses – first the left cheek, then the right cheek, then the left cheek again. But this is only a welcome. To thank someone (for example, for a gift) is just one kiss. 

This rule applies to ladies or mixed couples. Even if they know each other very well, men usually greet each other with a firm handshake.

Polish hospitality

If you are invited to a party or social gathering, expect to be hosted like a king or queen. We have already written in this post that Poles are world masters in hospitality – it doesn’t matter if you’re invited for a weekend barbecue or a wedding reception. Even if it’s just a weekday invitation for coffee, you’ll probably get something sweet to go with it, most likely a cake (preferably homemade).

Importantly, if you get an invitation to someone’s home, you should bring a gift, most often a box of pralines, a bottle of wine or flowers. If you already know someone well and your relations are rather friendly, for a summer party you can bring some beer. Just don’t forget to bring more beer, not to treat yourself only.

The shoe case

If you go to someone’s place, remember to put fresh socks on, because you will have to present them to the world. Yes, in Poland, we always take our shoes off after entering someone’s apartment and leave them in the hallway. 

Caution: if the hosts tell you not to take your shoes off, note this is a courtesy, and they are expecting you to do so.

Mind your business

When you get on a Polish tram or train, you’ll probably notice that it’s pretty quiet inside. Well, yes, we’re not in the habit of loud conversations and we don’t like it when someone else disturbs our mental peace. We don’t play music out loud, we don’t listen to audio messages. If we carry on conversations, it’s rather in a lowered voice. 

Occasionally, there will be a person who behaves more loudly – then the eyes of all travelers go in that direction.

Where’s the smile?

The streets of Polish cities may look a little grim. People walking the street do not smile, do not greet other passersby. Sometimes it can look shocking – as if we are constantly in a bad mood and feel like bouncing you off. 

But the truth is that it’s not the case at all. We are simply not used to establishing communication with strangers passing by. If you ask for help or directions, we will stop and gladly help you. 

We just cannot stand those who try to sell us something or persuade us to fill out surveys. Then we can pass by without a word.

A real friend

A Pole will never call you their friend after your first night out together. It must take some time before we gain your trust and consider you worthy of our attention and concern. But once you’ve earned it, you can be sure we won’t refuse to help you. 

We‘re truly proud of our relationships with others. Family and friends are always at the top of our hierarchy of values, and we never treat them superficially and shallowly. These relationships have to be earned a bit first, but it’s worth the offer.

Money, money, money

If there is any taboo in Poland, it’s most often frank talk about money. Yes, we are very hard-working and enterprising, but we’re more likely to say how hard we have to work for bread than admit we live a prosperous and comfortable life.

We’re unlikely to talk openly about our earnings and don’t value whether a certain amount is a lot or a little (so as not to offend someone or be considered a moneybag). 

People commonly known for their large fortunes are often accused of dishonest practices or just having good luck Yes, we envy our neighbor’s new car and quietly calculate how much they must have earned to afford it.

And you, what do you think about Polish mentality? Do you have any experience? Do you agree or disagree with this post?